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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
Oh my god I have too many thoughts on this book, I apologize to my friends for the many rants...
We'll start off with the simple stuff. The pacing wasn't great, and the story didn't really kick in until at least 100 pages in, which is, for lack of better words, not good... It was honestly ridiculous at times, as the story was slow as a dirge for about one third of its run-time, and then any time the pace would speed up, it would halt and trudge on for another too many pages.
Lackey kinda can't write combat. She does it all off-page or in very brief intervals on page. I'm not asking for grimdark here, but maybe learn how to make a fight scene with depth and realistic stakes that an audience can care about.
This may or may not be a controversial take, but Lackey does not understand gay men. Gay men (and women) are not attracted to every member of their preferred sex, regardless of anything. Lackey also seems to have a thing for age gaps(?) and it's very uncomfortable, with Vanyel being about 35 and Stef being 18 (similar with Moondance and Starwhatever being 16 and 29 when they got together... yeesh). There was narrative reason for it, but in my mind it just contributes to the harmful perception that gay people are predatory or sex-crazed. Also, it's like. Gay people aren't just immediately interested in other people because they're gay. What???
TW for this section for sexual assault
Lackey decided that the best was to show that the enemy was evil was by having the main character raped. Several times. By several people. Somewhat explicitly on-page. Oh my god. There wasn't even explicit sex on page, but she decided to write explicit serial rape. What the fuck?
Overall, I give it like. 2.5 stars because I've certainly read better but I've 100% read much worse. Would only recommend this series in very specific circumstances.
P.S. I want queer 80s and 90s high fantasy and this is the best I can get??? Ridiculous.
We'll start off with the simple stuff. The pacing wasn't great, and the story didn't really kick in until at least 100 pages in, which is, for lack of better words, not good... It was honestly ridiculous at times, as the story was slow as a dirge for about one third of its run-time, and then any time the pace would speed up, it would halt and trudge on for another too many pages.
Lackey kinda can't write combat. She does it all off-page or in very brief intervals on page. I'm not asking for grimdark here, but maybe learn how to make a fight scene with depth and realistic stakes that an audience can care about.
This may or may not be a controversial take, but Lackey does not understand gay men. Gay men (and women) are not attracted to every member of their preferred sex, regardless of anything. Lackey also seems to have a thing for age gaps(?) and it's very uncomfortable, with Vanyel being about 35 and Stef being 18 (similar with Moondance and Starwhatever being 16 and 29 when they got together... yeesh). There was narrative reason for it, but in my mind it just contributes to the harmful perception that gay people are predatory or sex-crazed. Also, it's like. Gay people aren't just immediately interested in other people because they're gay. What???
TW for this section for sexual assault
Lackey decided that the best was to show that the enemy was evil was by having the main character raped. Several times. By several people. Somewhat explicitly on-page. Oh my god. There wasn't even explicit sex on page, but she decided to write explicit serial rape. What the fuck?
Overall, I give it like. 2.5 stars because I've certainly read better but I've 100% read much worse. Would only recommend this series in very specific circumstances.
P.S. I want queer 80s and 90s high fantasy and this is the best I can get??? Ridiculous.
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Torture, Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Homophobia, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I've loved this book for years. Yet it's been awhile since I've read this series and there are so many things I'd forgotten. And yet this still managed to rip my heart out and pull out the tears. I knew what was coming and my heart still broke for Vanyel.
Vanyel has sacrificed so much of his life and energy for Valdemar and it's people. He's been so isolated and let's so few people in. I do love how Stef just worms his way into Vanyel's circle and refuses to leave. He's been determined to meet Vanyel for years and when the opportunity presents itself for his magic to help the king, he still takes his opportunity. He's the youngest bard to gain Master status ever, and his music is the medium to help, but no matter that he's now in contact with Vanyel only their friendship is progressing. Off course the danger to Vanyel and those he cares about is still as high as ever.
Normally this type of rip your heart out story would destroy me and I'd never want to read it again. Yet I love Vanyel and Stefan so much. This story tugs at my heartstrings and will always have me coming back for more. The sacrifices both men have made for their country are epic. They spend more time apart then they ever have had together, but yet eternity is theirs.
Vanyel has sacrificed so much of his life and energy for Valdemar and it's people. He's been so isolated and let's so few people in. I do love how Stef just worms his way into Vanyel's circle and refuses to leave. He's been determined to meet Vanyel for years and when the opportunity presents itself for his magic to help the king, he still takes his opportunity. He's the youngest bard to gain Master status ever, and his music is the medium to help, but no matter that he's now in contact with Vanyel only their friendship is progressing. Off course the danger to Vanyel and those he cares about is still as high as ever.
Normally this type of rip your heart out story would destroy me and I'd never want to read it again. Yet I love Vanyel and Stefan so much. This story tugs at my heartstrings and will always have me coming back for more. The sacrifices both men have made for their country are epic. They spend more time apart then they ever have had together, but yet eternity is theirs.
the introduction of an 18-year-old love interest for the mid-thirties protagonist combined with some spoilers i read about events that happen near the end of the book completely put me off of finishing this i had been reading the series along with the shelved by genre podcast and ill just listen to their episodes on it instead lol
Breaks my heart every time I read it. The best of the Valdemar series; I've never found any other book quite like it.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The perfect way to end the series. Heart-wrenching though it was to complete, I am glad I did. It ended the only way it could, which was so sad, but also what was necessary. It took me many attempts to read to the end of this book because I just could not bring myself to read it. Absolutely fantastic!